Having visited San Francisco six times over the years, I’ve seen firsthand how this city’s food scene is a true melting pot of flavors and creativity. From the bustling streets of the Mission District to the waterfront views of Fisherman’s Wharf, San Francisco is packed with cool and unique dining spots. Whether you’re savoring fresh seafood at a pier-side restaurant or enjoying a fusion meal in the trendy SoMa area, this city never disappoints.
Famous for its farm-to-table ethos and incredible variety of cuisines, San Francisco has everything from dim sum to gourmet tacos. These 21 spots take dining to the next level, showcasing the best of what SF has to offer. Let’s dive into the coolest, most unique restaurants in the city!
- 👉 Pro Tip: I HIGHLY recommend doing this foodie tour in San Francisco. They bring you to the best foodie spots in the Mission District, tasting local specialties like burritos, clam chowder, and more. This tour is an absolute must-do on a San Francisco itinerary in my opinion.
Unique Restaurants in San Francisco, CA: 21 Incredible San Francisco Places to Eat
Are you ready to discover the most unique restaurants in San Francisco? There’s a large variety of places to eat in San Francisco that caters to all tastes and budgets. Keep reading to find out where to eat in San Francisco, California.
Are you looking to experience the local culture through food? Or would you prefer a memorable gastronomic experience at a high-end restaurant? Whatever you’d like to eat, there are incredible restaurants in San Francisco that can accommodate your needs. Here’s your in-depth guide to the most unique restaurants in San Francisco.
1. Che Fico
- 📍 Location: NoPa / Western Addition
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $90+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Italian / Californian Inspired
- 🔥 Standout Features: Rustic-chic decor and pasta/pizza.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Italian dining, group dinners, and pasta/pizza connoisseurs.
Get ready for Italian food that’s as gorgeous as the space it’s served in at Che Fico! This NoPa hotspot wows with its dramatic, rustic-chic decor and serves up incredible Californian-Italian cuisine that lives up to the hype. Bellissimo!
Reservations are gold here. Their superb house-made pastas, like the supplì al telefono (fried risotto balls) or a seasonal agnolotti, are a must. Inventive sourdough pizzas cooked to perfection, or their salumi board with house-cured meats, are also fantastic.
2. Mister Jiu’s
Hidden in the heart of Chinatown, Mister Jiu’s is an absolute gem for anyone obsessed with inventive Chinese-American cuisine. Uniquely, they blend traditional recipes with California’s seasonal bounty, resulting in dishes that wow both your tastebuds and your Instagram feed. Their Liberty Farms Peking duck is a total showstopper – perfectly lacquered skin, delicate pancakes, and all the fixings. Don’t sleep on the Dutch Crunch BBQ pork buns either. The restaurant sits in a gorgeous, historic building with glossy dark wood, gold accents, and giant lanterns. The vibe is equal parts old-school San Francisco and modern banquet hall (perfect for foodie date nights). Bonus: You’re right by the iconic Dragon Gate and Grant Avenue’s shopping scene, making it a prime spot to start a night out. My favorite part? Watching the open kitchen action with an expertly mixed cocktail in hand.
3. Tartine Bakery & Cafe
- 📍 Location: Mission District (Original location) & other locations
- 💲 Price range: $5 – $15 per pastry/coffee; Bread loaves are higher.
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Bakery / Cafe
- 🔥 Standout Features: Country bread/sourdough, pastries, iconic Morning Bun.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Pastry addicts, bread lovers, and grabbing coffee/treats.
Prepare to queue for pastry perfection at Tartine Bakery! This legendary Mission District bakery is globally famous for its phenomenal bread and pastries that inspire cult-like devotion. Believe the hype, it really is that good! Your carb dreams live here!
You should try the iconic morning bun, flaky and dusted with sugar. Their croissants are perfection, and a slice of their rich frangipane tart is also a treat. Taking home a loaf of their signature country bread is a rite of passage.
4. Californios
Looking for an upscale, mind-bending tasting menu? Californios in SoMa is your ticket. This MICHELIN two-star restaurant takes Mexican food to a whole new, jaw-droppingly elegant level. Expect inventive tasting courses like caviar-topped taco bites and duck carnitas with heirloom beans. Every dish is a stunner, but their signature tostada layered with aguachile and sea urchin is genuinely one-of-a-kind. The restaurant is sleek, mysterious, and intimate – think candlelight, velvet banquettes, and dramatic art. Plan for a splurge and make reservations far ahead. Nearby, you’ve got the Mission’s bustling nightlife and murals for post-dinner exploring. Sidenote: the non-alcoholic beverage pairing here is as creative as their cocktails. I loved how each plate arrived like a little edible sculpture.
5. Zuni Café
- 📍 Location: Hayes Valley
- 💲 Price range: $50 – $90+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Cal-Med / French Inspired Bistro
- 🔥 Standout Features: Whole roast chicken for two, classic Caesar salad/oysters, unique triangular building.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Classic SF dining, roast chicken lovers, special occasions, and oyster fans.
Experience a true San Francisco classic at Zuni Café. This beloved Hayes Valley institution, in a unique flatiron building, is famed for its simple yet perfect Cal-Med cuisine, especially one legendary bird. Often imitated, never duplicated!
The absolute must-order is the whole roast chicken with bread salad for two (order it when you sit down!). Start with pristine oysters on the half shell or their impeccable Caesar salad. Zuni delivers timeless elegance and consistently delicious food.
6. Nightbird
Nightbird in Hayes Valley is one of San Francisco’s best-kept secrets for those who geek out on tasting menus and chic design. Chef Kim Alter crafts a seasonal multi-course adventure that’s fun, playful, and occasionally whimsical (her “egg” dessert with white chocolate blew my mind!). Every dish changes with the markets, but the homemade milk bread and foie gras torchon are major highlights. The atmosphere is moody without being stuffy – midnight blue walls, gold fixtures, floor-to-ceiling windows, and low-lit, romantic vibes. There’s a cozy adjacent bar (Linden Room) for pre or post-dinner cocktails. Not far: SF Opera, Symphony, and some of Hayes Valley’s best little boutiques. Nightbird is the spot I send friends who want intimate, stylish dining to remember.
7. La Taqueria
- 📍 Location: Mission District
- 💲 Price range: $10 – $15 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Mexican Taqueria
- 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary Mission-style burritos (no rice!), perfectly grilled meats, cash-only.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Burrito purists, Mission District food crawls, cheap eats, and cash-only diners.
Forget everything you thought you knew about burritos and head to La Taqueria! This iconic, no-frills Mission spot is legendary for its specific style of burrito – crucially, served without rice, letting the perfectly grilled meat and flavourful beans shine.
Ordering the carne asada burrito dorado (crisped on the griddle) is essential. Their carnitas tacos or the al pastor burrito are also fantastic. It’s simple, cash-only, often crowded, and serves what many consider the best burrito in the city.
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8. Tacko
If you’re in Cow Hollow and craving Baja-style tacos and a chill, nautical atmosphere, Tacko should be your go-to spot. Surfboards hanging from the ceiling, rustic wood booths, and beachy tunes put you in a summer state of mind. The lobster roll and the grilled fish tacos are local favourites – super fresh, super generous on the fillings. Wash it all down with their frozen margarita (yes, it’s photo-worthy). This is a classic counter-service, hang-with-friends kind of vibe. Bonus tip: it’s two blocks from the bustling Union Street shopping and less than a mile from the Marina Green, so perfect for a post-taco stroll. I once lost track of time just people-watching on their sidewalk patio here.
9. Swan Oyster Depot
- 📍 Location: Nob Hill / Polk Gulch
- 💲 Price range: $30 – $60+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Seafood Bar / Oyster Bar
- 🔥 Standout Features: Historic old-school seafood counter (since 1912!), fresh oysters/crab/shrimp, no reservations/long lines, clam chowder.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Fresh seafood, oyster lovers, and quality-seeking diners.
Belly up to the counter and step back in time at Swan Oyster Depot! This legendary, no-reservations seafood bar has been serving impossibly fresh oysters, crab, and more since 1912. Forget fancy tables, this is all about pristine seafood, served simply.
Be prepared to wait in line. Order a dozen ice-cold fresh oysters (ask for the daily selection). Indulge in sweet Dungeness crab Louie, or warm up with a bowl of classic New England clam chowder. It’s a true San Francisco institution.
10. Beretta
Beretta in the Mission stands out for its sultry Italian vibes and all-star cocktails. It’s airy and stylish – black tile, dim lighting, and big windows that let in that breezy Valencia Street energy. Their creamy truffle risotto and the famous walnut red wine pizza deserve cult status, and the segments of their Aperol Spritz are as Instagrammable as it gets. Seating is a mix of intimate tables and a buzzier bar setup. Come for a late-night dinner or start your evening with happy hour specials. You’re walkable to Dolores Park or Clarion Alley’s street art if you want to keep exploring. Real talk: the Nutella Calzone here is sinfully good (trust me and get one to share…or not).
11. Benu
- 📍 Location: SoMa
- 💲 Price range: $350+ per person (Tasting Menu)
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Modern American with Asian Influences (3 Michelin Stars)
- 🔥 Standout Features: 3 Michelin stars, tasting menus, Asian-inspired dishes, world-class fine dining.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Luxury splurges, fine dining connoisseurs, bucket-list meals, and modern Asian flavors.
Prepare for culinary fireworks at Benu, Chef Corey Lee’s 3-Michelin-starred temple of gastronomy in SoMa. This is fine dining elevated to an art form, blending Eastern techniques and flavors with Western precision. Get ready to have your mind blown!
The experience revolves around an elaborate tasting menu. Expect unique signatures like the thousand-year-old quail egg with ginger and cabbage. Delicate lobster coral xiao long bao or other masterpieces showcasing incredible technique also feature.
- Read Next: The Perfect 3-Day San Francisco Itinerary
12. Brenda’s French Soul Food
Nothing says weekend indulgence like a trip to Brenda’s French Soul Food in the Tenderloin. This place is a magnet for brunch-lovers, and rightly so. Flaky, buttery beignets (order the flight for a sampler), shrimp and grits, and fried chicken eggs Benedict are must-tries. Portions are hearty and the Creole-inspired flavors are next-level. Inside, it’s all exposed brick, cheerful chatter, and warm Southern hospitality. The line can get wild, but it moves fast and is 100 percent worth it. Perfect for fueling up before wandering over to City Hall or the Asian Art Museum nearby. Brenda’s is the “I literally want to eat everything off the menu” sort of spot – I’m still obsessed with their cheddar grits.
13. Nopalito
- 📍 Location: NoPa & Inner Sunset
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Regional Mexican
- 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic regional Mexican dishes (beyond tacos!), carnitas, fresh organic ingredients.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Mexican food enthusiasts, carnitas lovers, casual diners, margarita fans.
Go beyond the burrito and discover authentic regional Mexico at Nopalito! With locations serving vibrant dishes made from fresh, organic ingredients, this spot offers a delicious deep dive into Mexican cuisine. Taste the real Mexico!
You should try their legendary carnitas, slow-cooked to tender perfection and served with fresh tortillas. Explore other regional specialties like tangy ceviche tostadas or hearty pozole rojo. Wash it all down with a well-made margarita.
14. Robin
For sushi fanatics, Robin is a non-traditional omakase jewel tucked away in Hayes Valley. Chef Adam Tortosa transforms classic sushi into modern art, featuring California seafood and playful plating. Expect luxurious touches like truffle, uni, and house-made sauces. The “choose your own adventure” omakase lets you go all out or keep it simple, though the A5 Wagyu nigiri is always a highlight. The interior rocks neon lights, pink booths, and almost Space Age vibes – a refreshing departure from classic sushi counter minimalism. Don’t miss their custom sake cocktails. After dinner, stroll to Patricia’s Green park or duck into one of Hayes Valley’s cozy wine bars. I always leave Robin feeling like I just attended a secret sushi rave.
15. The Bird
- 📍 Location: SoMa / FiDi Border & other locations
- 💲 Price range: $12 – $18 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Fried Chicken Sandwiches
- 🔥 Standout Features: Fried chicken sandwiches, simple menu, high-quality free-range chicken, quick service.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Fried chicken sandwich lovers, quick lunches, and comfort food.
Sometimes, all you need is the perfect fried chicken sandwich. Enter The Bird. This spot focuses on doing one thing incredibly well: crafting amazing fried chicken sandwiches using high-quality, free-range chicken. Bird’s the word! Cluck yeah!
Their menu is simple. The classic fried chicken sandwich (spicy or regular) served on a fresh bun with apple slaw is essential. Their chicken tenders with various dipping sauces are also a great choice. It’s cooked perfectly and served fast.
16. Lazy Bear
If you want to geek out on food in a totally social way, Lazy Bear in the Mission is an experience you can’t miss. Their dinner is like a dinner party-meets-theater – everyone starts out upstairs for snacks and cocktails, then heads downstairs for a seasonal tasting menu at communal tables. Standouts are the sourdough Parker House rolls (people ask for seconds) and aged beef with bone marrow jus. The retro, camp-themed décor (think plaid blankets and wood-paneled everything) makes it all feel playful, not pretentious. Reserving your ticket ahead is a must, as this place sells out fast. Capacities are small, so it feels like being let in on a delicious secret. I love their storytelling with each course – it’s dinner and a show.
17. Liholiho Yacht Club
- 📍 Location: Lower Nob Hill
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $75+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Hawaiian-Inspired Heritage Cuisine
- 🔥 Standout Features: Hawaiian-inspired fusion dishes, tropical cocktails/vibe, shareable plates.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Hawaiian flavor seekers, group dinners, fusion lovers, and trendy diners.
Aloha, flavor! Set sail for a delicious journey at Liholiho Yacht Club! This wildly popular spot serves incredibly creative and satisfying dishes inspired by Hawaiian heritage and executed with modern flair. Get ready to hang loose and eat well!
Reservations are tough, but the reward is huge. Dive into addictive shareable plates like their famous baked Hawaii (a savory spam arancini creation). The twice-cooked pork belly with pineapple, or their tuna poke with sesame oil and crispy nori, are also must-tries.
18. Taquería El Farolito
San Francisco’s go-to for late-night burritos is absolutely Taquería El Farolito in the Mission. Ask any local – their super burrito is a rite of passage, overloaded with tender carne asada, beans, cheese, and every topping you can dream of. The setting is classic no-frills taqueria: colorful menu boards, crowds of night owls, and the aroma of sizzling meat. Ambiance is bright and bustling, so don’t expect quiet conversations, but that’s part of the fun. Grab your food to go and picnic at nearby Dolores Park, or refuel before making the rounds at Mission Street’s bars. The salsa bar is low-key addictive. Every time I hit El Farolito, I’m reminded why SF’s taqueria scene is legendary.
19. State Bird Provisions
- 📍 Location: Western Addition / NoPa
- 💲 Price range: $60 – $100+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Creative American Small Plates (Dim Sum Style Service)
- 🔥 Standout Features: Dim sum-style service, constantly changing small plates, Michelin star, unique dining format.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Adventurous eaters, Michelin star diners.
Get ready for dim sum, American style! State Bird Provisions revolutionized SF dining with its unique service model: inventive small plates are presented tableside on carts and trays, allowing you to pick and choose what tempts you. Point, pick, devour!
Be adventurous and try whatever looks intriguing. Must-haves include their namesake State Bird with Provisions (fried quail with parmesan breadcrumbs). The garlic bread with burrata, or their seasonal pancakes (sweet or savory), are also legendary.
20. Burma Superstar
- 📍 Location: Inner Richmond & other locations
- 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Burmese
- 🔥 Standout Features: Burmese cuisine, iconic tea leaf salad (Laphet Thoke!), flavourful curries/noodles.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Burmese food lovers, tea leaf salad fans, and adventurous diners.
Prepare to wait, and prepare to be amazed, at Burma Superstar! This legendary spot introduced many to the unique, vibrant flavors of Burmese cuisine, and the perpetual line out the door proves its enduring popularity. The wait is part of the legend!
You cannot leave without trying the famous tea leaf salad (laphet thoke), a fascinating mix of textures and flavors. Also essential are rich dishes like the samusa soup (a savory broth with fried samosas) or flavourful Burmese curries like pumpkin pork stew.
21. Foreign Cinema
- 📍 Location: Mission District
- 💲 Price range: $40 – $80+ per person
- 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mediterranean-Inspired Californian
- 🔥 Standout Features: Movies in a romantic courtyard, excellent oyster bar, refined Mediterranean-Californian food.
- 🎯 Perfect For: Date nights, movie lovers + foodies, romantic outdoor dining, oyster fans.
Dinner and a movie gets a magical upgrade at Foreign Cinema. This Mission District gem screens independent and classic films in its stunning courtyard while serving delicious Mediterranean-inspired Californian cuisine. Where film meets fantastic food under the stars!
Settle into the romantic courtyard and start with pristine oysters and a glass of wine. Enjoy beautifully prepared dishes like lavender-brined pork chop or fresh tuna crudo. Their fried chicken is also a surprisingly popular and delicious choice.
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